Happy 2013

I want to wish you ALL 

a very very Happy New Year!

I pray it brings us all

Awe

Bravery

Contentment

Discovery

Enthusiasm

Faith

Greatness

Health

Integrity

Joy

Kindness

Love

Movement

Networking

Optimal Living

Peace

Quiet

Respect

Success

Thankfulness

Use

Victories

Wealth

X-citement

Yippees

Zeal

Clever, huh?

My 2013 Alphabet of Dreams.

Truly, have a beautiful 2013!

Thankful...

Truly so much to be thankful for!!

TRULY!

Here a few I am thinking of this week:

Thankful for the beautiful sunny weather we have been having to start the month of November.

 Thankful for hockey and the lessons/hard work/dedication it is teaching the boys. 

(and way to go Xander on scoring your first goal ever!!!!)

 Thankful for our home...for the warmth and protection it provides.

 Thankful for my sweet kiddoes....they make my life so full!

 Thankful for puppy snuggles for all of us...

even Steve...he loves a little Gregor snuggle! :) 

OK maybe not but watching Gregor and Xander love on each other 

makes me very happy...so sweet!!

November is the month that we focus on all that we have to be thankful for...

but these are things I am thankful for year round.

I am very blessed and so very thankful...

I would really like this to be my focus every day. 

What are you thankful for today?

Totally Random Thursday

From 7:35 am to 9:27 am I put 12.5 miles on my vehicle and I didn't really go anywhere.

I also expect to add at least 20 more miles on that number today...WOW!!! 

I know I know many of you are saying - ha that's nothing. 

BUT I do not work at one of the mines and I do not live in a big city...

so it seems CRAZY how many miles I travel each week. 

Moving on...I washed my car today for the first time in I don't even know how long...

and when I say I

well I really mean that big machine.

Yes it did and I sat and texted in my car - tough work I tell ya. 

Anywho...by the time I got home you would NEVER know I made a visit to the car wash. 

So tell me again why we wash vehicles?  (Steve and Dad pretend you didn't read that last statement)

I am hopelessly and shamelessly ADDICTED to Pretty Little Liars. 

Thanks a lot Macey.  No but really I am. 

I have watched 12 episodes in the past 2 days while scrapbooking. 

Stacey + Ezra = TRUE LOVE 4EVER. 

Ok I sometimes have the mind of a 14 year old. 

And I might have replayed his make out session 427 times,  but probably not.  

 HOT!!!

I have scrapbooked 18 pages in the past 24 days!  And that's the real number!!

I am so super excited about this because I didn't even scrapbook that many pages

in the entire year of 2011.  Yay ME!!!

I started marathon training on Monday.  Crazy I know. 

It will be my first and I am actually REALLY excited. 

I will be running the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon on June 3rd,

along with my really hot hubby.  Well I won't really be running along side him or anything. 

By the time I finish the marathon he will have finished his marathon, showered,

had a couple of meals, drank a few beers and lots of other stuff.

I have never been to interested in speed...finishing is my goal. 

With this being my first marathon my goal is to finish before the 7 hour cut off time. 

If it takes me 419 minutes and 60 seconds I will be so super thrilled that I accomplished that!!! 

And another member of our family will enter the world of running.

Xander has taken an interest in running.  He has been "training" for about three weeks now.

He is really excited about it.  He will run at least 25 miles over the next few months

and then finish the final 2k of the marathon at the Mickelson Trail the day before Steve and I run.  AWESOME!!  So proud of him!

I LIVE in yoga and running clothes - 96.4% of the time and that number may be low.

The old gear wasn't looking too pretty so I may or may not have purchased $8641.23

worth of new gear from Sierra Trading Post.  I didn't say I spent that much but it was worth

at least that much!  Seriosuly do you all shop here???  If not your CRAZY - CRAZY I tell ya.

The bargains are unbelievable.  (They are offering an addition 20% off orders over $100.00. 

Coupon code: SITETHUR112)  My new gear consists of Columbia, Mountain Hardware,

Royal Robbins, SmartWool, J-41.  And not one thing was over $40.00!

In fact $40.00 was the most expensive item and I cringed a little...most things were 12 - $30.00!

Even then shoes!  Score.  Now I am comfortable but at least I look somewhat put together! 

Hey I said somewhat.  And now I am even a runner again so I have an excuse - right??? 

Now I just need to work on getting back into Yoga.  Which reminds me....

Dear Gillette,

Please offer mid-morning yoga classes for people like me.  I do not like Zumba...well let me re-phrase...my body can't move like is required in Zumba.  And I am not looking for spinning

or cardio fit right now.  So please a 9:00 am yoga class would be awesome!!!  And I'm not a senior or a kid - so those don't qualify.  Thank you.

Sincerely, Desperately Seeking Yoga Classes 

Hmmmm...what else can I bore you to numbness with....let's see here...

Totally in love with:

The Civil Wars

Andrew Belle

 And I CANNOT wait (Thanks Jamie for the heads-up) to see this:

Love me some Channing!

OK that's it!! That is all I've got...gotta get back to watching some Pretty Little Liars

and perhaps drool over Ezra!!!  And scrapbook, of course!!  Have a BEAUTIFUL Thursday!

My Girls Crafty...

Check this out!!!

She's crafty!

And she's good!!  :)

The kids have always been interested in craft projects around

the holidays but I didn't think it went beyond that.

I did craft with them throughout the years - little projects here and there 

but sometimes looking back I worry I might have been too stingy 

about my craft time...not really wanting to share that time 

as much as I should have.  Maybe I would have been surprised sooner.

And maybe I started the fire just enough so it would come out at just the right time.

Anywho...

Miss has all these great craft projects she would love to do...

I'm impressed!

Now on to her wreath.  

She made this for her "Big" (her words not mine).

The fun of sorority life.

She used her sorority colors - aqua and grey 

(and we added the black since we couldn't find grey tulle)

She used almost 3 full rolls (at least 2 1/2) in the aqua and black color.

6" spools from Michael's Celebrate It brand.

1 spool of glittery silver/grey ribbon. 

(we had glitter coming out our ears - just ask the boys of the house - they were not amused)

I am not sure of the exact size of the wreath because I have already boxed it up, 

but I think it was a 12" foam wreath form - also from Michael's.

We followed these basic directions.

It's huge!!!  From end of tulle to end of tulle it is about 27".

I Love It.

Now I want to find an online supplier of fun colors of tulle

so she can make me one for:

Valentine's Day

and one for Easter

and one for Birthday months

and one for Halloween

and I think you get the picture!!  :)

Oh and for gifts!  What an awesome gift this would/will make!

Hello Monday...

Hello first Monday in this exciting new year of 2012.  

Looking forward to all that is to come!  

Think it's going to be a good one!

 Hello pain from yesterdays fun day of skiing at a beautiful Meadowlark!

Hello empty girls room.
We are missing our Macey now that she's back in Omaha.

Hello last day of  Christmas break.  

We loved the sleeping in, 

especially after said day of skiing!  :)

Hello messy piles of "stuff" all over my house.  

Thinks it's time for a deep cleaning/organizing of the house!!

Hello nice little surprise on Ali Edwards blog.

I am one of the winner's of a  

Lisa Leonard's Word of the year Necklace!!  

Lucky Lucky Me!!!  I am soooo stinking excited!!!

Hello tasty easy faux Italian sodas.

 Hello Inspired to Scrap sketch class.

 Hello Kung Fu panda and cozied little boy.

Hello One Little Word.

Hello hockey.

Sorry we missed a few practices.

We're back now!

My New Year's Wish for You...

 Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Hugs when spirits sag,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Faith so that you can believe,
Confidence when you doubt,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.
-Anonymous

My friend Shelley Kinnison posted this wonderful poem...

I thought it was too perfect no to share.

Christmas was a good one....

...a very good one!!

And now I feel like I can say goodbye to it.  

The decorations have been taken down.  

My girl is safely back in Omaha!  :(
(happy she's safe...just would have loved more time with her here in Wyoming)
Now I'm ready for the fresh start that 2012 will bring.

But before I say goodbye completely, how about a few (or a TON) pictures of

my favorite moments and my favorite people.

 Macey was home for three whole weeks.
How fun it was to have her here for three whole weeks.
It was nice just bumming around with her.
And I found out she's very crafty - like me.
love love love this little tidbit.

Love that we only have to travel 3 hours to get back to my home town.
It soooo beats the 12 hour drive we used to have to make from Omaha.

We celebrated my sister's 40th birthday.
A surprise "Look Who's Turning Awesome" party.
Lots of fun!  And boy was she surprised!  Love it!

 Christmas Eve mass with the family.
Love the comfort that the (mostly) familiar brings.
Love that Joy to the World!

Christmas Eve festivities at my sister and brother in law's home.
Family, friends, YUMMY food, and very thoughtful gifts.
(More on one very special gift later)

 
Christmas morning at Mom and Dad's.

Up soooo early to open those gifts.
Such excitement!!
Wondering if Santa's made his visit yet and if so what he might have left.
Again with really thoughtful gifts!

A scrumptious Christmas feast - eating too much!
A little after dinner napping.
A little dancing with the XBox - oh the laughs.
Mom, Carol, Jo - you rock those dance moves!!!

And that oh so fun game of Quelf.
Have you heard of this?
Definitely a fun one - would be worth the purchase. 

Goodbye Christmas 2011!

It was a good one!
A very very good one!

Hmmm.....

...think I might be able to blog on a regular basis???  I so would like to...seriously as absurd as it may sound I blog in my head ALL.THE.TIME!!!!  I am not even kidding...I have great topics, great thoughts, pearls of wisdom ;)....but then I never sit down to really blog it out.  But I will someday...maybe today, maybe tomorrow....maybe next week.  Because I am so not ready to give up blogging.  I love the process, and who knows maybe one of my posts will inspire someone, make someone laugh, or give them a thought to ponder....just maybe.
Today I am sitting here enjoying being lazy...thinking about hopping on the elliptical...but really thinking about all the things I have to be thankful for.  Of course it's the trend right now because it's that time of year - but can you thinking of a better trend???  A better thing to be a bandwagon-er for???  It's a good thing - whether your the first person aboard or the last...remembering how blessed we truly are is a good thing.

 So for today's blog post I will post 6 things I am truly thankful for.

1)  Thankful for a beautiful family!

2)  Thankful for hubby making all his connecting flights and for his safe trip home.

3)  Thankful for my hubby spending a day working at home.

4)  Thankful for a reality check - maybe I'm too addicted to my cell phone - it's time to update the address/phone book.

5)  Thankful for good coaches which in turn make Xander LOVE hockey while he is learning his way!

6)  Thankful for heat and a nice home to stay cozy in on this cold day.

More to come of course....but what are you thankful for today???

So good to be back in Wyoming...

It takes us less than two hours to be in the mountains...

oh how I love these mountains!

With beautiful streams that dance

Streams that would make you happy enough just to watch

But if watching isn't your thing...

...well you're in luck!

because these beautiful streams...

in these wonderful mountains...

also produce...

the most gorgeous of fish!

Which creates hours of the most healthy fun one can have!

 Truly...

...not to mention...

you can bring home the tastiest of dinners!!!  :)  

It's so good to be back!

Happy Birthday...

...to our beautiful Mother!!!

We B3 couldn't love you more!!!  

 Hope you have a wonderful day!

Macey....

 Can a parent every really prepare for the day their child spreads their wings and fly?  

I thought I would be ok...I mean let's face it...

...sometimes a parent/teenager relationship can be a challenge...

...and Macey and I fought plenty...just like I fought with my parents at that age.  

A challenge. 

I used to tell Macey that she needed to be on her own...

...just so she knew what it was like to really be on her own and just how much we did do for her.  

I also used to think...I can't wait til she is on her own...

...but only so we could actually be friends...to like each other...

....a relationship without so much tension.  

Macey used to tell us...rather often...that she couldn't wait til she was out of our house...

 ...and then as the months got closer to graduation...this girl of mine...

 ...well she softened...the thought of rushing out of our home...

...those thoughts of getting as far away from us didn't seem so good...

...no she didn't want to go school in Montana...which for months she had planned on...

...no she wanted to stay closer to us...guess she didn't think we were so bad after all...

 ...however by this time Steve had already applied for the job in Wyoming...

...eventually getting the job.

Bittersweet. 

As weeks got closer the thought of leaving her really hit me...

...my baby girl would soon be an adult...no longer living with us...

...making her way in this world on her own.  

Nothing can prepare you for the mix of emotions...

...excited for what the future will hold for her...

...heartbroken at the thought of days...weeks...and even months without her.

I cried...often.

Still do a bit. 

 I cannot tell you how differently our home feels without her...of course it's a new home yes...

...so of course it's all different...

...but not having her here is not something I could prepare for...

...it seems quieter...a little lonely...

 I don't love being the only girl in the house.

 The positive?   

She is doing great...adjusting to this not being close like she hoped for.

She's enjoying the sun...

 ...and all that this last summer as a child will bring...

...this makes it easier...

So happy she is happy!  

And now...

when she is here in our home...

...we like each other...we enjoy each other's company...

 ...less of a challenge.

It's those visits that I will look forward too...

...will cherish...

...will be grateful for...

Happy Mother's Day....

...to our beautiful mother's.

We love you very much!

Happy Mother's Day to all the other wonderful Mother's out there!  I hope it is a beautiful day - because this is a most special day - not just a little holiday - a day to feel LOVED!!!

Still sick - but here's the big news....

So I went to the doctors this morning because I am actually feeling the same if not worse today....so I am now on antibiotics for a sinus infection and bronchitis!!!  Have I mentioned I hate being sick....thank goodness school was canceled today - I would have felt horrible calling in sick to work again.  By tomorrow I will have been on antibiotics for 24 hours - so I should be good to go - crossing my fingers.  Anywho...enough about sickness!!!
Let's move onto the exciting Curry news......

(I thought the photo was fitting since he is celebrating and this is in Wyoming - Dayton not Gillette - but still close)

We are moving back to Wyoming!!!  Not back to Sheridan - but to Gillette this time around!  We will move after Macey graduates and the boys finish the school year up.  Most of us are thrilled at the idea - Macey is a little sad because she has now decided to stay in Nebraska for college and we will be 10 hours away.

When Steve put in for this job her plans at that time were to attend school in Montana - but she has since changed her mind.  Funny - this girl of ours - she is always telling us how she can't wait to get out and away from us - I would never figured her to be weepy at the idea of living without us.....it in turn makes me very weepy.  I have assured her that we will skype and call and email and text multiple times a day - and we will visit and she will visit - and it will all be good!!!  She is only a flight away!!  This spreading your wings and flying thing sometime hurts a bit - I remember it all to well....
But this really is good news....we have wanted to be back closer to the mountains - back to a slower pace - to the lifestyle we were used to - camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and closer to family....and this was our chance - the quality of life will be so much better.  Pray for Steve that the transition will be smooth...this will be a big change for him - but a good one.  And really we could all use some prayers because it will be a big change for all of us....
So there you have it big news....

Happy Happy Birthday to.....

....my beautiful niece Abby - who is double digits today - 10!!!  Woohoo!  Have a terrific day - and a dream come true kind of year!!!

Happy Happy Birthday to.....

....my wonderful sister Jodi!  I wish I could be there to celebrate with you!  But just over 1 week until I am there with you all.  I hope this year is the best one yet!!

Happy Happy Birthday to.....

...my beautiful Grandma Mary and to her twin sister Molly